Sandra‘s Closet

“My Spring 2014 Collection celebrates a simple purity of clean lines and structure with a nod to the bold spirit and playfulness of swinging London in the late Sixties.” – Ralph Lauren

America’s grand seigneur of fashion added a wonderful modern and young twist to his S/S 2014 collection. I loved those knee socks and little Mary Janes in the beginning of the défilé. He showed a lot of black and white looks, very elegant and sophisticated as we know Ralph Lauren.

When colour appeared in the second half of the presentation on the runway, it was eye-catching bright. From cobalt blue to lime green and acid yellow, those hues looked extremely beautiful on the many gowns that walked down the runway. My favourite was Karlie Kloss‘s cobalt-blue strapless long dress in which she certainly made an entrance.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Ralph Lauren Collection and © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday, Saturday, 12 o’clock in the “Schottenhamel” beer tent: By tapping the first barrel of beer and saying into the microphone “O’zapft is!” (which means: “It is tapped!”), Munich’s mayor, Christian Ude started the 180th Oktoberfest. My avid readers know, I love the Bavarian city and its “Wiesn” – this is how the locals are calling their annual party, after the colloquial name of the fairgrounds (Theresienwiese) themselves.

The fashionable crowd started a little earlier in the morning and followed the invitation of Gitta Gräfin Lambsdorff and Alexandra Freifrau von Wangenheim to the famous legendary Breakfast at Tiffany’s, from which guests were transported around 11.30am to the Oktoberfest directly. This is the place to be!

And here is your stylish WIESN GUIDE – enjoy!

Ziegfeld collection daisy charm in sterling silver with white silk ribbon by Tiffany & Co.,
€ 770.00 Euro – CHF 870.00

An exceptional investment for your Wiesn outfit infiltrated with legendary charm, Lanz contrasts rich tradition with cosmopolitan elegance. Every woman looks good in a dirndl!
Dirndl by Lanz, exclusively available at mytheresa.com

As it can get a little chilly at night, it might be a good idea to bring a fancy cardigan with you.
Oktoberfest jacket ‘Odelia’ by Iris von Arnim, exclusively available online and in the German flagship stores in Munich and Sylt.
€ 1095.00

Adored by the fashion elite, French designer Olympia Le-Tan‘s artisanal collection showcases beautiful hand embroidery and eye-catching designs.
Shop the clutch bags by Olympia Le-Tan here.

To celebrate the 180th Oktoberfest, Jimmy Choo has launched a limited edition collection that is exclusively available in the German flagship stores in Munich and Frankfurt.
Pumps ‘Bavaria’ by Jimmy Choo
€ 695.00

1 Traditional hat with feathers by Lola Paltinger‘s Milka-Collection (see below), € 59.00
2 Knee socks ‘Wiesn’ by Falke, € 19.00
3 Charm ‘Brezel-Pretzel’ by Thomas Sabo, € 59.00
4 Bracelet ‘Get Lucky’ by Dodo, Price on request

In collaboration Milka, designer Lola Paltinger (for a previous post about her, please click here), has created some amazing outfits for the Oktoberfest season all in the famous chocolate brand’s iconic purple colour. You can shop the looks exclusively at the Milka Welt at Schrannenhalle in Munich and online at Lodenfrey. My absolute favourites this season!

And last but not least, even that you are not allowed to smoke in the beer tents, I am sure that you would like to light a fire in style! The small size (55 x 31 x 12 mm) lets it easily fit in your pockets or clutch.
S.T.Dupont MiniJet Dallmayr No. 1 Oktoberfest-Edition
€ 109.00

Don’t forget to have some traditional Bavarian delicacies such as Obatzda (a spiced cheese-butter spread), Weisswurst (a white sausage) and Schweinshaxe (grilled ham hock).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the brands, © Sandra Bauknecht

It’s easy to forget in the daily madness of Fashion Week that New York is about more than fashion. But the party never stops in the city that never sleeps. So to kick off the S/S 2014 season, many amazing events took place. Here is one ordinary Tuesday night to give you an idea how busy it can get but of course how much fun it is at the same time. I still enjoy those days and nights very much and couldn’t agree more with Holly Golightly in the movie “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” : “I’ll never get used to anything. Anybody that does, they might as well be dead.” Speaking of which…

6:00 pm – COCKTAILS AT TIFFANY’S

The evening started with a cocktail hosted by bloggers to celebrate the new Atlas collection at Tiffany & Co.’s famous flagship store on Fifth Avenue, which has been a magnet for the famous and fashionable. I mean who can resist those diamonds sparkling from streamlined showcases that surround pedestals of granite and burl wood. A place where dreams come true…

8:00 pm – NARCISO RODRIGUEZ S/S 2014 SHOW

Around 7.30 pm, I was heading down to 37th street in the dynamic, up-and-coming Midtown West Hudson Yards neighborhood to see the Narciso Rodriguez S/S 2014 runway show in an intimate surrounding. A study in minimalism, those clean cuts and feminine chiffon fabrics showed that sex appeal doesn’t need much.

Great news, during the next 3 days, you have the chance to pre-order the amazing Narciso Rodriguez S/S 2014 collection straight from the runway here.

9:00 pm – DOM PERIGNON x JEFF KOONS EVENT

Next stop: 711 Greenwich Street. The Stephan Weiss Studio with their spacious, two-level event space were the perfect location to host the launch party for Dom Pérignon’s new collaboration with famous artist Jeff Koons (photo with me below). A detailed post will be coming up shortly.

One thing is always missing at those events, food! So very late at night, I went with a friend to Buddakan to finally eat dinner…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Spotted backstage at the Tibi S/S 2014 show during New York Fashion Week: Baby Lips® – the new lip balm by Maybelline.

Applied to the lips, its exclusive formula protects and moisturizes them for a full 8 hours. After 1 week, your lips are visibly renewed, virtually reborn. It comes in six varieties (in Switzerland only four) that all smell and taste extremely yummy.

In Switzerland available from mid September 2013 for CHF 5.00 each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Maybelline and © Sandra Bauknecht

This month, I have got some really nice Swiss press that I am very happy about and which I would like to share with you.

For my German speaking readers:
Top left: The October issue of SI Style magazine is available now featuring my column in which I tell you a little more about my recent trip through Iceland.

For my French speaking readers:
Top right: Bilan magazine (N°14) featured me along fellow colleagues such as lovely Jorge S.B. Guerreiro in an article about a blogger’s secret of success.

Bottom left: The last edition of Le Matin Dimanche (N°258) included a picture of me in their article about the Dom Pérignon x Jeff Koons launch event in New York (post coming up shortly).

Bottom right: This week, amazing Florence Jacquinot mentioned me in her recent TV appearance on La Télé about New York Fashion Week. A huge thank you, Flo!
You can watch it here (around 2:52).

LoL, Sandra

The famous Gucci bamboo collection has been an icon for decades, first introduced by the brand’s artisans in the ’40s. I still remember how impressed I have been when I visited the Gucci manufacture last year and actually experienced the amazing craftsmanship and work process behind such a bag and its bamboo handles that have become synonymous for the Italian fashion house. This striking model in the pictures is called Lady Lock and is the newest addition for F/W 2013. Its contemporary silhouette works perfect for everday use.

My look: Floral-print smocked silk-chiffon top, stretch-leather skinny pants, grey hat, suede pumps, earrings and Lady Lock ostrich leather top handle bamboo bag, all by Gucci. Rose ring by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Gucci

Spotted on Valentino’s F/W 2013 runway, this new calf leather clutch is the ultimate statement accessory. It features a front strap detail that is as functional as it is fashionable. You might imagine my excitement when this beauty arrived personalized with my initials and a handwritten note from the house’s designers, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, at my doorstep. Thank you, Valentino, for one of the best gifts ever!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last week, I attended the Diesel Black Gold S/S 2014 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, such an amazing location to host a runway presentation.

For Andreas Melbostad‘s second season, he describes his inspiration like this: “A new ease of attitude by combining opposing icons to express strength and fearlessness”. The collection evolves its iconic staples to include a new, courageous fragility: metal eyelets, discs, zippers, buckles and hardware accents introduce luxe industrial elements, for a range of pieces, from leather to georgette. Lighter, softer materials – silk crepe de chine, silk georgette, cotton poplin, cotton voile – are juxtaposed against the collection’s utilitarian core of leather and denim.

I love the jeans that come with a more slouchy fit at the hips and deep rolled cuffs at the ankle. A pastel leather moto jacket will definitely be on my wish list. The only question is white, icy blue or baby pink?

LoL, Sandra

Designer Andreas Melbostad whom I met the first time this spring in Zurich (For the previous post, please click here please).

Front row: Renzo Rosso framed by Coco Rocha to the left and Kanye West to the right

Photos: Courtesy of Diesel Black Gold and © Sandra Bauknecht

AMY SMILOVIC is the mastermind behind the must-have fashion label Tibi. The charming designer shared during New York Fashion Week her travel tips for STOCKHOLM with me. After a recent trip to Sweden, she has become a huge fan of the Scandinavian city.

Your favourite city?
I visited STOCKHOLM this Spring and fell in love. My grandfather’s family came over from Sweden in the early 1900s so it was interesting to discover my roots.

Your favourite hotel?
GRAND HOTEL for stunning views of the harbor and Gamla Stan “the old town”.
Södra Blasieholmshamnen 8 – 103 27 Stockholm, +46 8 679 35 00

Your favourite restaurant?
TEATERGRILLEN for the crayfish—it reminds me of the south where I grew up.
Nybrogatan 3 – 114 34 Stockholm, +46 8 545 035 65

I also love ÖSTERMALMS SALUHALL, a sensational food hall full of fine foods, different stalls of fresh seafood, cheeses, meat and fruit stands, bakeries, wine bars and intimate restaurants. Delicacies served to you on the spot, I always come home with some great local products.
Östermalmstorg – 114 39 Stockholm

Your favourite bar or nightclub?
RICHE (order some late night meatballs) and RESTAURANG 1900, modeled after a 1920s-era speakeasy; I love the old school cocktails crafted by the master mixologists.
Riche: Birger Jarlsgatan 4 – 114 34 Stockholm, +46 8 545 035 60
Restaurang 1900: Regeringsgatan 66 – 111 39 Stockholm, +46 8 20 60 10

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
The MODERNA MUSEET, they have great exhibitions of international artists. Walking through Gamla Stam is like going back in time with it’s medieval buildings. And FOTOGRAFISKA, one of the largest photographic galleries in the world.
Moderna Museet: Exercisplan 4 – 111 49 Stockholm, +46 8 519 552 00
Fotografiska: Stadsgården 22 116 45 Stockholm, +46 8 509 005 00

Your favourite park?
The BERGIANSKA TRÄDGARDEN, a beautiful botanical garden and park on the waterfront. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon exploring exotic plants and ornate greenhouses.
Gustafsborgsvägen 4 – 114 18 Stockholm, +46 8 545 917 00

Your favourite tour?
It’s great to get out by boat (weather permitting) and tour some of the ARCHIPELAGO ISLANDS.

Your favourite shop?
The Bibliotekstan area for stores like NATHALIE SCHUTERMAN, FILIPPA K and ACNE.

Your must-have accessory?
My iPad, iPod, and iPhone!

The best soundtrack for this destination?
Django Django soundtrack.

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
PARIS by Edward Rutherfurd

Thank you, Amy, for sharing your insider scoop on Stockholm with us!

LoL, Sandra

“The easy glamour of the French Riviera in the late 1960s — inspired by Romy Schneider’s character in La Piscine — mixed with garden elements. Blueprint, botanical, lattice, Queen Anne’s lace and folly prints are paired with cleaner silhouettes and proportions in a fresh palette of green, white and coral.” — Tory Burch

Tory Burch referenced Romy Schneider in La Piscine and came up with a beautiful vintage vibe for S/S 2014. Inspired by the late 1960s, the pretty looks that came down the blue pool-like runway at New York Fashion Week last Tuesday, offered luxurious lace and florals, outstanding embroideries, botanical prints and needless to say, Tory’s iconic statement accessories.

Personally speaking, being so ultra-feminine, elegant and wearable, it is one of her best collections to date.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tory Burch and © Sandra Bauknecht